Simple does not mean easy or boring

inspiration / /

Simple is not necessarily easy or uninteresting. I think of these qualities:

  • clear
  • honed to the essentials
  • free from ornamentation
  • readily understood/admired

gelatin print by linda germain

Often it is challenging to hone something down to its essential elements and still maintain meaning. In gelatin printmaking there is so much excitement, energy and possibility that it can be hard to embrace the less is more idea.

print with grasses linda germain

I offer you this challenge to gain clarity and insight into your printmaking style try one of these ideas:

  • Use 3 or less stencils
  • Print with blue/black ink
  • Try to include light whites and dark blacks in your prints

gel print monotype linda germain

You may notice that you resist these boundaries. That could be a good thing. Or you could create a boundary of your own and see what insights evolve.

If you would like the structure of a class to help you simplify your gelatin printmaking then check out the details of the online class.

speedball water soluble block printing ink for gelatin printmaking

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2 Gelatin Printing Tips

gelatin print tips / /

When I first started gelatin printmaking, it was all about playing with the tools and discovering what kind of marks where possible.

gelatin prints in artist book

Recently, I noticed that I play less and have more expectations. I decided that  I would benefit by getting back into that beginner’s mind of play and discovery.

gel print with grasses

Ways that I embrace more play:

  • Use non-precious paper – like 90 lb drawing paper
  • If I think it, then try it
  • Use non-usual colors
  • Try to suspend judgement
  • Allow what happens
  • Don’t expect to have a lot of perfect prints
  • Give myself time to warm up and get in the flow

gelatin printmaking monotype

Discovery happens when I:

  • Test out new grasses and weeds
  • Flip through a pile of prints to notice what I like
  • Make lots of mistakes and understand what is not working
  • Move beyond what I already know

Some playful discoveries I have recently made:

  1. Compiling lots of prints into an “I wish” journal (above)
  2. Direct printing into my sketchbook pages (first image above)
  3. Found some new grasses that I like (orange image above)
  4. Added delicate ghost images to an accordion book (below)

ghost prints in artist book

Gelatin printmaking can be a satisfying form of expression. If you want the recipe to make your own gelatin plate, then get it here.

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Daily doings – art habits

monotype print / /

Do you have daily habits or rituals in your art practice?

watercolor blobs

I like to try out new skills and techniques, and then decide if they fit into my art making practice.

mixed media book

Some things I have tried lately:

  • stylized bird doodles
  • painting watercolor blobs
  • geometric patterns
  • rusting paper
  • found word poems
  • fill in the blank

fill in the blank journal

I think my habits change and new habits lead to new work. I am enjoying the soft cover coptic stitch sketchbook.

soft cover coptic stitch bound book

I make a new one every few weeks. I noticed that how I fill the pages has changed. The one constant is the plant silhouette.

silhouette of plant

I encourage you to:

  • try out new habits/techniques
  • look back at your work
  • notice your constant (signature) mark making style
  • Celebrate your discoveries

If you would like to explore some new techniques and book forms, then join us in the online Mixed Media Retreat. Read all the details on the workshop page. Class to be scheduled.

sketchbook linda germain

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Tear, sew, burn and bind

book arts, collage, combined techniques, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have a pile of paper or prints that you are willing to transform with:

  • tearing into collage shapes
  • sew with or without thread
  • burn or smoke stain and
  • bind or fold into books?

collage on children's board book

If so, then you might enjoy the Mixed Media Retreat, and online class starting soon.

Tear, burn and stitch mixed media art

The class is designed to introduce ideas and techniques into your practice that will transform your papers and prints into books and mixed media prints.

collage with gelatin prints

Each lesson includes:

  1. A simple mark making prompt
  2. A textural layering technique
  3. A book form for reshaping prints and papers
  4. An artist talk to stimulate the mind.

You can get more details and register on the workshop page.

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Waiting is challenging

artist book, book arts, handmade books / /

I have been exploring some new book forms. I am binding gelatin prints into soft cover books and then using them like a journal.

artist books by linda germain

I am very pleased with the double fan book. It is a glued form that is good for single sheets of paper. This works well for all the 5″ x 7″ prints that I have been making in the last few years.

small gelatin plate monotype prints

The more books that I make the more I start to follow the rules. Waiting for the glue to dry is so hard for me. I want to flip the book open and start using it right away. Or even just open and see if I glued it straight and square. But don’t do it! The flatter I can leave the wet gluey paper then the flatter it will dry.

double fan bound book

Rules I am trying to follow:

  1. Paper grain runs in line with the spine. My pages lay flatter when the grain of the paper runs vertically. This can be challenging when I am using old prints, that I created without reference to the paper grain.
  2. Use good book binding PVA glue. It is strong and has less water content. Things seem to dry flatter and smoother.
  3. Let everything dry completely, under pressure. Generally that means overnight. This is the hardest rule for me to follow. But it has the biggest pay off. When I let the book dry completely, then the pages lay flat and the spine seems to be stronger.

With the my version of the double fan binding there are 3 overnight waits. I am developing more patience.

soft cover book of gelatin prints

Are there parts of your practice that require

  • waiting
  • patience or
  • following rules?

Willingness to adjust the process, sometimes pays off with different results, like flatter more pleasing books.

If you need the recipe to make the long lasting gelatin plate, you can find it here.

Happy printing!

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